Peace I don't know how long it's been since I felt that. At Ashgate prison, that sense of comfort was a luxury to me. I brought that pain on to myself I know that fact well. That's why I do not complain much about it but still, it is nice not to feel what you dreaded for so long. As I open my eyes for the first time I passed out. I saw that I was in a room I did not recognize. But it did not take much guessing for me too figure out who's room I was in.
The room was immaculate it's portrayed both wealth and class everywhere you looked. From just a glance you can see the owners love for gold as it was embroidered into the fabric and a big part of every other piece of furniture in the room. On the wall to my right I saw a painting of a gilded sun descending on a frosted Mountain. I was not the biggest art connoisseur in the world but I have been forced into enough events to recognize a masterpiece when I saw it.
"He has truly done quite well for himself though I was far from poor I'm a bit jealous".
Looking at the room remind me of what I had lost. Though learning the King's secret was priceless the amount of money I had confiscated from my bank account was far from a small amount. It pained my heart to think about that level of loss. So, I forced those thoughts down to live in the present and bask in the prospects of the future.
Just as Nathaniel began thinking about all he could achieve with the knowledge of the map he obtained a woman open the door. This woman was pretty and dressed as a doctor. she had long brunette hair and had freckles that made her look cute when paired with her glasses. Once the woman stepped into the room her eyes met my own burning gaze. She froze in her steps when she did I could tell she was scared of me for some reason just by looking at how quickly she left the room just as fast as she came. I heard her run down the hall to fetch most likely my brother.
Putting that odd moment aside I knew I wasn't going to enjoy the upcoming conversation but I promised him an explanation only after he rescued me so an explanation I shall give. I didn't have to wait long after two minutes a different set of feet came sauntering down the Halls. I heard the distinct clank of wood on stone mixed with rushing feet. It was the sound of a cane I knew that well since I used one frequently. It was a custom in high society to have such a thing but Nathaniel knew his brother didn't just use a cane for the fashion statement.
Both doors opened wide with my brother standing in between them. He walked into the room with a bit of a limp. He used the embroidered cane as support. It looked just as expensive as his suit and everything else in the room. My brother had a well groomed goatee with a thick stash on his lip. His wavy hair had gel and was combed back. My brother was not some small figure he was well known throughout the city.
Even the most least informed person would have some recognition of his face. That's because my brother is Gregory Grand one of the richest men in the city, but for the less reputable folk they knew him as head Don of the underworld throughout all of Fedondria.
Gregory started out admiring the local Mafia from a young age. Even when he lived with us as a child his fascination with them never ceased its only grew. He would constantly sneak out from the apartment and go to a place on Dover Street we're a bunch of gang members often hung out. The place was owned by a man named Valentino. People also refer to him as a the star-struck lover.
He either got the name because he often offed people during the night when the stars were out or because he did the same thing to his wife. I never got the full story on that but it didn't matter because Valentino took a liking to Gregory. He had him working the bar as a chore boy there he made more money in tips then most grown men did with an honest career.
We often hid where Gregory really was from Rose she didn't approve of his friends very much. I often wondered what life Gregory would have lived if we never covered for him and honestly I think he would have done the same thing anyway. That's because Gregory really had a different upbringing from myself and others not many people know this but Gregory was a dumpster baby. His mother was probably a young girl too scared and ignorant to know how to properly take care of a baby or a prostitute off the street who really knows.
Whatever the truth may have been that fact of being abandoned and no one wanting him stuck with Him. For luck to have been the deciding factor in his life didn't sit right with him. So, Gregory essentially made it his life goal to make everybody want to know him, to be the most important guy in the room at all times and he achieved it. He went from chore boy to one of Valentino's most trusted men.
He was doing "house calls" before I even graduated from school. Even after he got injured during our escape when we killed roses murderer. He did not let the injury stop him though he could no longer do any more leg work he decided to do book work and expanded his network throughout the city.
Before he even contacted me for help 60% Gregory's businesses appeared legal and men were already calling him the grandfather of crime before the man was even 30. Because he always walk with a cane and limped around like an old man. When I was introduced into the picture I made Gregory's entire operation 90% legal in the eyes of the law the other 10% couldn't even be traced back to him that easily.
Though he has changed, and though many people in the city both love and fear him for different reasons.
To me, he's not a man to be feared because to me he's just Greg my brother.
The shadow of Fedondria its underground sovereign and second ruler Gregory Grand walked towards me. The terror of the night, the crimson bat of subterfuge. Just saying the top few titles in my head gave me a headache. Gregory honestly had way too many titles and if they were all way too damn long for me to honestly say any of that with a straight face and not get pissed off at the man.
When Gregory entered the room he suddenly paused. He appeared to have a cold sweat as he was internally debating something. It was just a moment but it was a moment that brought concern for me because what could there be that my own brother is weary of me? Could he possibly be thrown off by my actions and is now condemning me for them? Could he be fearful of me because of the legacy I acquired from Flintwood and now think of me as some monster, or could it be that my own brother no longer recognizes me? What ever the reason was that gave him pause Gregory quickly got over it and moved towards me.
Gregory arrive by my side and placed his hand on my shoulder. He did so with warmth and care convey through it. Gregory truly cared about family because his original family abandoned him. So, he vowed to never abandon his own. Though Gregory had no ill will when he placed his hand on my shoulder my skin instinctively crawled. To me Gregories hand was not warm it was metal and cold. It was the hand of Zephyr that grabbed me this terrified me and made me struggle to look up out of fear the fear of seeing Zephyr's face again. With a quick movement I swatted Gregory's hand away.
"Don't touch me". I shouted in a firm tone with an underlying drop of fear.
Gregory took a step back from my sudden outburst but not a step more. He had a look of concern as I awkwardly looked at him from the comfortable bed.
"I-I'm sorry" Not put off by this Gregory asked me with care.
"How are you feeling," Gregory said with a gentle voice.
" I feel fine, Greg"
"Really is that so you feel no pain"
"No, I don't the legacy I obtained from Flintwood completely fixed my body. I don't even have the small cuts on my hands I have had for years. It seemed to have completely removed all imperfections from me". I said this with wonder in my voice as I hope he would be amazed by this discovery as well.
"Is that so well then I guess if you aren't in any pain I need not feel bad about doing this then now do I". My lack of attention left me completely unprepared for the sudden right hook to my face. My head hit the bed frame as I winced from the pain. With fire my eyes I turn to Gregory and shouted at him.
"What the hell!?".
"What the hell indeed? By that I mean what the hell has gotten into you? You were found spying on the king, The Black Hand personally arresting you, they raid your home, Helen's home, if they knew about our connection I'm sure they would have came here as well. In one fucking day you have turned not only your life to shit but everyone else around you as well. You have also made me spend an ungodly amount of resources to rescue your ungrateful sorry ass . So, what was this all for? Because from what I can gather you Where found skulking around in the walls like some rat before you got caught".
" For the love of, ... ugh.Do we really have to do this now. I just woke up, I had endured six months of bloody torture From The Black Hand himself. Waiting in that pig's den just for you to rescue me. I know you had other things to do but did you really have to take your sweet time? After all that can I at least get a light breakfast that isn't a spoiled egg or oatmeal that hasn't been pissed in?".
"Yes, you have endeared much but it's not like I haven't went through any hardships in that time as well to meet your absurd demand for a legacy. There are other ways to escape one that didn't involve you turning into a monster even more one than me. Your lucky I knew someone that was about to turn. let's not also talked about the difficulty that came with chauffeuring someone that was deep in the New World. 2 months for the ship to sail there and back you know. I rescued you in six that is a record time frame. But what do you know about any of that. It's not like creating a false uprising to lure the black hand away from you was difficult. What did you even do to make him torture you for that long anyway?".
" I am no fool I know that I was going to be executed within days of my arrest if I did not tempt the man. So, I took a risk and it worked I suffered for it but I bought you enough time to rescue me.".
Gregory paled at what was revealed to him. "Not an idiot that sounds like something an idiot would do. No one messes with a black hand, no one messes with the rightful rulers of the land. The royal family send assassins after each other like toys yet your messing with them.".
" Don't speak to me about what's the Royal family is like. I worked closely by their side for years I've seen more things then when you know. It's why I was arrested and would have been executed without trial and though it sounds bad to say this out loud I did spy on the king".
Gregory raised his hands in the air in wonder, " why, why would you spy on the king. There are simpler ways to seek one's death".
A mocking smile creepy to Nathaniel's face, "That is indeed true, but what I saw there was more alluring and valuable then a nip slip from the princess. What I saw in the palace was a map, a map of the world".
Gregory stared at Nathaniel he looked at the seriousness in his eyes they did not waver from his own So he slapped him across the face.
"A map of the world, this was all done for a bloody fucking map. We already have a map of the world. The new world is still being drawn but what use is that". After a loud yell, Gregory took his Cane and held himself back from bashing Nathaniel's skull in.
Nathaniel rubs his sore cheek that stung from the sudden slap," ahh, why do people slap me when I give them news they don't like. Either way Gregory calm down and just listen. What I saw was not like any of the maps pedal around in stores everywhere. What I saw was a map forged from Light. only the king could access it was tied to his blood.
This map showed not only the known world, and the new world, but it also showed all the islands in between. Place thought to have never before discovered. Don't you know what this means Gregory? This shows that we have already sailed throughout the world. step foot on every island. I do not know when this could have possibly happened because there are no records of such events. Yet our King and most likely the others as well are hiding this from us. But the question is why must we Rediscover the world that we already know?".
Gregory lowered his Cane as Nathaniel's words sunk in. A true map of the world is no small thing. People die traversing the unknown to discover if anything is truly there. The discovery of new islands are major events that's could let a person's name be transcribed in history forever. The value of this knowledge that Nathaniel has truly is priceless and more than worth killing over.
After mulling it over a bit Gregory asked, "You say you saw a map of the world, so how much of it do you remember".
"All of it I remember every detail. There's no way I would let myself forget it's what I clung to in my desperation".
"Then you can make copy".
"Yes, I could, but I will not for you".
Gregory took offense to those words. Nathaniel was his brother not by Blood but something sticker. But his other nature still creeped out.
"You won't make a map for me and why is that?".
"Well for one I know what you would do with it. I did not go through all that just for monetary gain".
"There is a lot more to gain from that knowledge then just a bit of money brother.".
"I know that too but my decision is final. If you want to know about the different lands then you will have to wait till after.".
"After what?".
"After I go there myself and discover every hidden secret this world has to offer.".
"You're going to discover the islands, alone.".
"What you didn't expect me to stay here now did you. After all that's happened I expect I'm a wanted man by now".
Gregory huffed in satisfaction as he deviously replied, "oh, more than you know".
From his breast pocket Gregory pulled out a newspaper and a flyer. Nathaniel decided to read the flyer first because it was the shortest read needless to say he was shocked by the contents.
tyhe flyer was a wanted poster with a clear picture of his face and the infamous tag dead or alive highlighted below it. The only thing more unsettling than being a wanted man for Nathaniel was seeing his bounty for the first time. He hoped to have misread the numbers but he knew they were right. In exhaustion Nathaniel laid his head onto a pillow he did so delicately because it was the head of a man worth $100,000 Skrill.
Gregory laughed at the sight of Nathaniel curling up under his covers. "What not pleased with your bounty did you want it higher perhaps. I'm not going to lie when I first saw it I thought they made a mistake since not even mass murderers get near this much. But after what you told me I think the price on your head is a little low".
"Of course my bounty is high I was one of the heads of the Departments of Treasury. The things I know from that job alone could affect a nation by giving another sway in a few dealings if I so choose. Not only that I am considered a traitor to my country because people think I was spying on the king for someone else. People don't like spies and they don't like traitors even more. Now if you couple that with the legacy I obtained from Flintwood my bounty starts making a lot of sense".
"Well look on the bright side of things. Your only wanted in Fredondria meaning your bounty can only be claimed in the states or territories there of in. If your bounty was International like when you're wanted by the world Navy then this would be a different story. You could still run to other countries and hide there if you wish. It's even possible to start life there if you so choose. But you'd still have to worry about bounty hunters and such. Along with the world Navy if you ever cross their paths since while they can't be active in any country they can still arrest any wanted man they see in any country if they so choose".
" I know of the law Gregory. Oh really because to me it seems your interpretations of it couldn't use a bit of freshening up".
Nathaniel jostled in his bed as he laughed," your as quick-witted as ever Gregory".
"And your a dimwit clearly you cheated your way to the top".
" I cheated no less than you Mr. blood song".
"Ugh, don't use that title I'm not a fan of that one. I don't know who the asshole is that keeps coming up with all the corny nick names and titles that I have but I'll find and gut them eventually.
Nathaniel laid back on to the soft king size bed and let all his troubles wash away. He then took the newspaper in his hand and threw it in the trash. Not needing to read it to know that the world was berating him for all that he has done.
" This is nice Gregory it's been ages since we've seeing each other and it's been even longer since the whole family was together. How's your daughter by the way? I've heard a bit of her music on the radio but I haven't seen her since she was a little girl. She was so small and sweet I doubt she even remembers me.".
"That little girl you remember is no more she's changed in ways I find difficult to understand at times. She dresses up like a man which I'm fine with. But she's also a slob that lays around and comes on to both man and woman just to tease them".
There was a moment of silence as Nathaniel digested this information, " that sounds...".
"It's incredibly frustrating that's what it is. you don't know the pain I've been through because of her. I've been training her to be my successor, but I fear I may have made a few mistakes along the way".
"Well how bad could it possibly be. oh, since it's been ages since the girl have seen her uncle I might as well have a gander while I'm here where is she".
"I honestly don't know if she's in the house she's probably drunk lying around somewhere naked or she's still out with her friends on the street causing me problems that i'll have to clean up. I honestly don't think you should meet her now so as to not ruin any of the fond memories you have of her.".
Nathaniel said with a bit of embarrassment for Gregory," well then let's put a pin in that then shall we. It's not like us meeting is that important anyway. Plus I wouldn't want her to get attached to me for me to just be hauled away in chains later on.".
"Trust me when I say you have no reason to fear that ever happening. The girl has the attention span of a Walnut. She only focuses on things that interest her. She probably wouldn't even realize you were in the same room if she was busy with something else".
"Well, she's starting to sound like a real handful".
"Yes, she is. Now about your accommodations, you cannot stay here. You currently have one of the highest bounties in the state. Meaning you have to leave the country as soon as possible. I've already made the arrangements long ago you'll be leaving tonight. I was just waiting for you to wake up so you wouldn't be completely confused when you woke up in a new country".
" I just got here and you're already kicking me out how rude of you. Whatever I suppose you have accommodated me long enough. How long was I asleep for anyway".
"You were asleep for three days. In that time not much has happened, but all travel routes in and out of the city are still blocked off and heavily restricted. They have not given up on finding you and they still believe you are here. That's why I want you gone now. With that legacy you obtained you should be able to protect yourself".
"Ah, yes I nearly forgot to ask you do you know what this Legacy of mine does. I feel connected to my body in ways I cannot explain".
" I am not overly familiar with how Flintwood uses his abilities, but I do know that he utilize his blood as his main weapon while doing so. People said that he was not only capable of manipulating his own flesh and blood, about the bodies of others as well.
He created horrible creatures that were the stuff of nightmares. People call them abominations because they couldn't classify what Flintwood created as living or dead only a new life-form entirely. I remember there where people who said that they saw him freely swimming amongst lanshi without fear of ever being attacked and other reports said that he survive the harsh conditions at the edge of the world with his bare body no less. That parts easy to explain though it's because he also has an ability that allows him to passively adapt to any environment his in.
Flintwood was indeed a great pirate that utilized that ability to great efficiency. He's fought and won many battles against god's chosen and now you have those same abilities. So, I say with confidence that you have the strength to hold your head up high in this world regardless of opposition.".
Gregory's words made Nathaniel feel confidence in himself. Though he knew that this power while great would slowly consumed him he would still utilize it to his fullest capabilities. Nathaniel would not shy from this power he will use it to explore the world and accomplish his dreams.
"Gregory where did you send Helen".
"Oh, her after I found out about the raid on your home. I immediately called her and told her to run. My men picked her up a couple streets from her home and she stayed with me for a while till we both figured out what was going on. Though there was a warrant out for her it has already been rescinded. She can return back home and live out a normal life, but I forbade it and bought a new home for her and created a new identity for her in Osland. Also I had Douglas shipped off along with her. I did so less because of the danger and more because the man's a wreck and he's been mooching off of me long enough hopefully this time together fixes their relationship".
"Thank you for doing that. The Black Hand coming after her was not within my calculations during my risk assessment".
"Are you going to go see her. Only me and a few of my trusted men know of her location.".
"No, I'm not it's best if I stay away from her for now. Instead I'm going to Logelon. I have a bit of important stuff inside of a bank there. I must retrieve it before I go on my adventure".
"I can arrange for you to go there tonight no problem, but about your adventure that still needs to be discussed. I am willing to sponsor your escapade, but in return ...".
With a sigh Nathaniel stated, " I was going to spread the knowledge of what I find anyway Greg but I promise you that I will give you the locations of every island that I visit along with any relevant information associated with it first Greg, but not after. Nor will I accept your money. This is an adventure, it is my adventure and I want to suffer through it. I can make deals and money on my own".
Gregory not wanting to except Nathaniel's refusal said, "You say you have discovered a complete map of the world this is bigger than seem to realize. This can change lives this can give people the power to become Kings. Real Kings with real power there has only ever existed three such families. This is an opportunity that no one else has. Think about it our family as royalty and you with the support of a king backing every adventure you go on. You will be unstoppable and will be seen not as a spy or a traitor to his nation but as The Greatest Adventure to have ever lived".
Nathaniel looked at Gregory like he was stupid because everything that's came out of his mouth was." Gregory did you just say what I think you did. Ha, h-have you lost your mind! That kind of speak is worse then what I have done. At least I have places to run, but if people ever knew you had such thoughts there will be nowhere for you to go.
In our long history there has only ever been three kingdoms. 3 Royal families of Royal Blood. There have never been any such opposition before. Just look at what is happening in the New World that is what your delusions will lead to. In the new world there's a man who calls himself King but do you think that's any of the royal families ever recognize his title? Do you think that they will sit down and talk as though you are equals?
The Royal Families have always destroyed their opposition especially false Idols who claim what they are not. It's why no one ever arbitrarily proclaims themselves king of anything. Because it is seen as an attack on the thrones. It's one of the reasons why the royal family hate pirates so much. It's because amongst the Pirates there will one day always rise a pirate king.
I see that my words have encouraged your greed, but please end it there. The royal families are not people you can just face by building a few walls on a pile of mud and proclaiming yourself King of all things.".
Gregory was silent he didn't immediately disagree with what Nathaniel said because he was right. The kings of this world were powerful and not to be trifled with. But Nathaniel's words left a lasting mark on Gregory they changed something inside of him and left an idea in his mind.
With a shift in his posture that came to him as easy as breathing his tone changed along with the mood in the room.
"Haha, those natives in the New World are nothing more than Savages. I'm nothing like them but everything you said is indeed true. I'm sorry you had to see me lose myself there but the value what you spoke of caught me off guard. There's no need for you to worry about me acting on what I said.
The Three Kingdoms have been around longer than I dare count. Facing them is a fool's errand and my words you can chalk that up to a mad delusion. Haha, you know it's kind of funny how I just committed treason like that now both of us are treasonous bastards. If Danton we're here do you think he would do the same?".
Nathaniel raised his brow in response to Gregory's words, "Danton, I'm not so sure he'd approve of anything we've been doing. Actually whatever happened to Danton I've lost contact with them a while ago. Haven't seen the man in years. Do you know how he's been or what he's been up to?".
"How do I put this Danton is a bit like you in a way. He got caught up in the prospects of the new world. But before that I've heard that he's been making a few terrible deals. He's basically just been wasting his life away. I had lost contact with him a few years ago as well. He could be dead or alive for all I know he could even be a pirate".
"It's a shame to hear that but I suppose it's possible that he will reach out us in the future after he learns about what happened to me. I'm a bit surprised he hasn't found out about my arrest already. If he has then that means he's turned into quite a dick since we last saw him because the date of my execution had already been announced yet still no word from the man".
"It's best not to think about it like that Nathaniel who knows what's going on with him".
"I suppose you're right we each have our own troubles to deal with. Like how right now I'm troubled with this ever-growing pain of hunger in my stomach since I haven't eaten in apparently 3 days yet my brother still insist on questioning me instead of being a good host and feeding me.".
Gregory gave me the stink-eye and I gave him one back as I stuck my tongue out at him like a child.
"Fine I'm done questioning you for now anyway. I'll have my chef make a full course meal prepared for you within 30 minutes. But before you step out of the room I suggest you deal with this issue you're having. I don't want what competent staff I have running away because of you.".
Nathaniel looked at Gregory funny as he questioned the meaning of his words," what in the world are you talking about Greg".
" What you're telling me you don't know. I'm not exactly sure how you're doing it or why I can sense it but you're basically oozing bloodlust. When you locked on to me with your crimson eyes I felt as though a predator was hunting me. It was as though you have signaled me out as the weakest member in a pack and were preparing to attack.Though your face showed emotion your eyes were always drawn to my vitals.
It was always my neck, heart, and liver I could see you were planning out the best way to take me down. That sudden feeling is why I stopped at the door earlier. It's also why the doctor I had checked over you ran from this room earlier. she ran to me terrified because she was scared you are going to kill her. I didn't believe her words at first but that changed after I finally met you. Tell me can even control what's your emitting".
I had a look of bewilderment plastered on my face because Gregory's words seemed strange and silly to me." Bloodlust, red eyes what in the, but I haven't done anything?".
Gregory's words prompted me to rise from the bed. The bed groaned loudly as though it were pleased to be relieved of my weight. The noise the bed made and its sudden rise made me realize that I was much heavier then I was before . How much I did not know but it must have been a considerable sum to make the bed almost snap under my weight.
Putting that aside after I rose out of the bed I just then realized that's for the most part I was completely naked. Only a pair of underwear was on me. which was more than enough clothing for me to not feel embarrassed in front of my brother.
Stepping past him I made my way to a mirror on the dresser. It was there that I saw myself for the first time in months. To speak the truth I had nearly forgotten what I look like. Though I am proud to say that I looked sexy as fuck. No, in fact I look better than that I was at peak physical condition. My body look like it was sculpted from stone by the hands of a master. I knew this was the work of the legacy because even with my old workout regimen I was far from achieving this much. My veins bulge on my arms just as much as my pectoral muscles. My jawline was strong and my abs were well defined and just as well built as the rest of my body.
In the mirror I was amazed to see that my eyes glowed a bright red. As I stared at myself I saw what my brother was talking about. I looked at things with a predators glare. My eyes made me look as though I was cold and calculating they gave off a deep sense of hunger. It was a strange thing for me to see because I believe even a well trained Warrior would step back in caution from my glare alone. I did not know why this was but as I continue to inspect my eyes and control this aura I was emitting my eye color shifted. what was red suddenly became Brown.
I found this change quite fascinating so I attempted to control it. I found changing my eye color was as easy as breathing. I could even change the way my retinas were shaped and behaved. I changed them to appear as cat eyes then morphed them into the eyes of a goat and then back again.
I could do so many things that I nearly lost myself in my own childlike amusement. it was Gregory that snap me out of it when he asked, " did you figure out how to control it".
"Oh, yes I have. I don't know if it's like this for all legacies but mine is extremely easy to command. It provides no resistance it moves to my will. That being said the best way to use it would be finding out exactly what I can do".
"So, there's no danger of you losing control.".
"No, not for a few years at least till the madness sets in or if I overuse the power and bring that time toward me sooner.".
"Alright then if that's the case, follow me to the dining room and let's eat".